How to Develop a Game, ft Grant Rodiek from Hyperbole Games [BGG.con 2015 Interview]

How does a game evolve during the development process? Grant Rodiek is a long time video game developer with over 10 years developing The Sims series at EA/Maxis, with a not-so-secret passion for developing board games. He gives us a look into his design process & shows how to develop a game, including pivot points and the mindset he’s learned over the years.

In this episode we talk about:

How Do You Design Your Games?

Advice For A New Designer?

Behind the video

Grant’s the Lead Producer on The Sims 4 & he’s been been a big part of the series for more than a decade. He’s even the source for several beloved Sims Easter Eggs sprinkled throughout the many games & expansions.

Grant had so much great advice when I sat down with him at the Board Game Convention 2015 that it took two episodes to cover it all. Between his experience developing video games, Kickstarting & publishing his own games, and working with well-respected publishers we still just scratched the surface.

Be sure to check out Part 1 – How to Make a Game to hear about the design challenges he’s encountered, more about each of his games, and what he’d say to his past self if only we could get that dratted time machine working.

Get the game

You can order Hocus now – the Kickstarter rewards have started shipping as of this post.

Thanks so much to Grant for taking the time & letting me interview him!

What do you think of the new series? Have you ever pushed through failure to make a great game or project? Have a question you wish I had asked? Be sure to let me know in the comments and if you enjoyed the video, share it!